Revolutionary economic policies used to be reserved for centre-right politicians. The Zeitgeist was best expressed by Ronald Reagan: “We've gone astray from first principles. Read more
A week is not just a long time in politics. It is a long time for democracy. Read more
If only the Government’s public relations staff were as good as Lotto New Zealand’s. Twice each week, Lotto asks us to imagine those millions of dollars coming our way in the Powerball draw. Read more
Several large companies recently received hefty government handouts to install new boilers and heaters. This was all under the guise of decarbonisation, using money earmarked for the country’s Covid recovery. Read more
Putin’s influence has helped the rise of Marine Le Pen. But his political vehicles are not limited to the Far Right. Read more
Michael Johnston told Newstalk ZB Heather du Plessis Allan that we've seen in the PISA results over the last 20 years a continuing decline in the proportion of New Zealanders that at 15 can do basic literacy tasks
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Wellington is a confusing place. In 2017, the Government wanted to plant One Billion Trees and set a lot of costly policies to achieve it. Read more
A few years ago, the Prime Minister visiting foreign countries would have barely been news. However, after two years of borders closed because of Covid, Jacinda Ardern’s trip to Singapore and Japan is more than just noteworthy. Read more
As the 2022 French election reaches fever point, Wallace Chapman talks to Oliver Hartwich about why this particular election is so significant.
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At the general election in 2023, New Zealand will mark 30 years and ten elections since it adopted the Mixed-Member Proportional Representation (MMP) electoral system. A criticism of MMP is that the party list system allows party hierarchies essentially to appoint their apparatchiks to parliament. Read more
This submission is in response to the Ministry for the Environment and Ministry for Primary Industry’s Discussion Document Managing exotic afforestation incentives. The Document proposes not awarding carbon credits through the ETS for permanent exotic forestry planting, despite the carbon sequestered in such forests, because of other perceived problems resulting from exotic forestry planting. Read more
They may not know it, but unsuspecting Kiwis will soon be protected from unregistered log traders and forestry advisers. What a relief that should be. Read more
Ben Craven interviews Dr Michael Johnston about his recent presentation at The New Zealand Initiative Members’ Retreat. The pair discuss the disturbing trends of cancel culture and the erosion of academic freedom. Read more
This government is teaching us many things. One is that it and its supporters have no quarrel with governments that steam-roll radical reforms through parliament. Read more
As Putin’s soldiers fight in eastern Ukraine, he is also involved in a battle much further west. Tragically, that western battle may even go his way. Read more